Woman, 78, victim of sexual assault

VERNON HILLS — A man wearing a ski mask broke into the home of a 78-year-old Vernon Hills woman early Friday and sexually assaulted her, police said.

Police declined to elaborate on the nature of the assault, other than to say it happened about 2 a.m.

It is unclear how the man got in, police said.

The woman told police the man confronted her as she slept in bed. She called 911 afterward, police said. She described the man as 20 to 30 years old, thin, between 5 feet 5 and 5 feet 9 inches tall, and wearing dark clothing.

Investigators recovered two items from the home that they believe the man left behind: a pair of Tommy Hilfiger boxer shorts, size XX large, and a pair of silver-framed sunglasses with light-blue lenses.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Vernon Hills Police Department at 847-362-4449.